UYANGA ENKHTAIVAN (SCHOOL#8, DORNOD PROVINCE)
SARNAI DAVAAJAV (School #8, Dornod province)
OTGONTUNGALAG CHOIJILSUREN (Dornod Secondary School #1)
TSETSEGJARGAL DAMBII (Dornod, New Development School)
STEPHANIE LERMA (School #8 Dornod)

ENRICHING ENGLISH TEACHERS' LANGUAGE SKILLS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH HOBBY AND INTEREST CLUBS : TEACHER EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

In this presentation, we propose an innovative approach to enhance language teachers' skills and professional development by collaboratively establishing hobby and interest clubs among local school English teachers to rebuild professional networking after the COVID-19 pandemic. As English Mentor teachers and club facilitators, we will share insights, strategies, and outcomes from running local clubs to foster language proficiency, overall teacher well-being, and reducing stress. Description: Language educators face challenges maintaining and advancing their language skills amidst their demanding teaching schedules. Hobby and interest clubs provide a unique opportunity for teachers to engage in meaningful language practice while pursuing personal interests. Our presentation will share and highlight our rationale and the practicalities of establishing such clubs for English teachers for an academic year. Five presenters will discuss their various club models, including technology, film, cooking, and knitting. We will highlight how these activities can serve as essential outlets for language immersion and unique platforms for cultural exchange. Participants will learn about effective strategies for club organization, curriculum integration, participant engagement, and vocabulary enhancement. Our team comprises experienced language educators who have successfully initiated and managed hobby and interest clubs in the community and have advanced their language skills through their areas of interest. This proposal outlines the benefits and methodologies of using hobby and interest clubs to enhance language skills and professional development among educators. It clearly outlines what attendees can expect to learn and take away from the session, emphasizing practical insights and actionable strategies.

Uyanga Enkhtaivan has been an English teacher at School #8 and an English Teaching Mentor in Dornod. She has a Master of Education (2010) from the University of Humanities in Mongolia and presented at the 21st ASIA TEFL Conference in 2023 as a lifetime member of the ASIA TEFL Organization.

Sarnai Davaajav has been an English teacher at School #8 and an English Teaching Mentor in Dornod Province, Mongolia. She has a Master of Education (2010) from the University of Humanities in Mongolia and is a member of the ELTAM, and she has presented several times at the ELTAM Conference.

Otgontungalag Choijilsuren has been an English teacher at School #1 and an English Teaching Mentor in Dornod Province, Mongolia. She is a member of the ELTAM and has presented several times at the ELTAM Conference.

Tsetsegjargal Dambii is an English teacher at New Development School and an English Teaching Mentor in Dornod Province, Mongolia. She is a member of ELTAM and has presented several times at the conference.

Stephanie Lerma has volunteered as an English teacher at School #8 in Dornod since 2023. She graduated with a Mathematics(BA) and International Studies(BA) from Baylor University in 2016. Since graduating, she has volunteered as a teacher in Thailand and filled customer service and logistics roles in the United States.